Honorable Robert L. Livingston

Founding Partner, The Livingston Group & Former Elected Member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Robert Livingston met Michael Ryan approximately 18 years ago when they were introduced by a mutual friend in Costa Rica. “He needed some help trying to persuade the government to follow through with his effort to buy some land. Later, he introduced me to folks in the Cayman Islands and now we represent them in Washington,” Livingstone said.

Describing Ryan as sophisticated, well educated and energetic, Livingston said, “He’s one of the brightest young people I know. He’s a very strong family man. He protects his wife and family. He’s energetic and community minded. He’s a talented guy.”

Commenting on Ryan’s skills in business, Livingston added, “I think he’s a great businessman; I’ve always been impressed with him. He’s always been forthright, totally above board with me. He’s a great people person, very impressive. He’s probably a very good salesman and I don’t mean that in the pejorative sense. He pays great attention to detail. He has his head on his shoulders in my opinion. I’ve met a lot of people in my time and Mike Ryan is one of the most impressive people I’ve met.”

About Robert Livingston:

Robert L. Livingston is a Founding Partner of The Livingston Group and a distinguished former Republican Member of Congress from Louisiana. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election in 1977 and was re-elected to eleven successive two-year terms. Mr. Livingston served as a member of the Appropriations Committee through most of his time in Congress, and for the maximum period of six years on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. From 1995 through 1998, he served as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, shepherding the 13 appropriations bills through the legislative process. At the start of the 105th Congress in 1997, Mr. Livingston chaired the bi-partisan ethics reform task force, in which role he was responsible for reshaping the House ethics rules. He was chosen by his peers to serve as Speaker-designate for the 106th Congress. Following his departure from Congress in 1999, Mr. Livingston established a successful lobbying firm, The Livingston Group. It is today a highly regarded, bipartisan firm, which boasts an extensive network of over 60 principals, consultants and international associates, and 50-plus domestic and foreign clients.

Sir Richard Branson and Mike Ryan

Michael Ryan with Steve Case (Founder of AOL) and Congressman Robert Livingston